New Leader, Same Name
Iran has a new Supreme Leader, and it is the son of the late Supreme Leader. Fifty-six-year-old Mojtaba Khamenei, son of Ali Khamenei, has never held a government position, but takes over the regime after his father was killed in airstrikes by Israel and the U.S. The younger Khamenei will be the country’s primary decision-maker as the conflict continues and will also decide whether to continue the hostile and antagonistic approach of his father or seek a more conciliatory posture with the world.
New Secretary
How is the following for a direct and candid reminder?
“Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful” (2 Tim. 2:23-24).
AI Spat at the Pentagon
The U.S. Department of War (DOW) has labeled the Artificial Intelligence company Anthropic as a “supply chain risk.” The announcement comes after the DOW tried to negotiate use of Anthropic’s technology but would not agree to Anthropic’s insistence the technology not be used for domestic mass surveillance or autonomous weapons. The DOW was pushing for an “all lawful purposes” standard, and its designation of Anthropic as a supply chain risk threatens the company’s ability to work with others who do business with the U.S. government.
Miracle on Miracle
Forty-six years after the Lake Placid “Miracle on Ice” in the 1980 Winter Olympics, the U.S. men’s hockey team has again won gold, this time defeating Canada when Jack Hughes scored a sudden death “golden goal” in overtime on Sunday. The U.S. win completed a clean sweep for U.S. hockey, with the women’s team also defeating Canada to win the gold medal a few days prior. While neither of the two gold medals was a sports “miracle” in the mold of 1980 (both of the modern teams were clear gold medal contenders while the 1980 team was a significant underdog), the back-to-back wins provided a jubilant end to 2026 Winter Olympics for American fans.
U.S. Supreme Court Strikes Down Tariffs
Tariff policy likely does impact you in at least some way—perhaps prices at the grocery store or even the geopolitical posture of your favorite international destination. But far more important than tariffs or the major questions doctrine (both of which are certainly of some import) is the reality that all authority in heaven and on earth belongs to Jesus (Matt. 28:18). It is a comforting reality as you grapple with complex questions of earthly authority.
Clintons Deposed
If it wasn’t clear before the recent release of additional evidence, it certainly is now: The nefarious and despicable actions carried out by Epstein and his associates implicated a very large number of powerful people all around the world. Some (i.e., the former Prince Andrew, who has been arrested on charges related to Epstein) are facing legal charges, while others (like former President Clinton) are for now facing reputational harm because of associating with Epstein.
Chaos in Mexico
Chaos and destruction in both life and death. That is the somber legacy of El Mencho. As deadly and chaotic as the scene of El Mencho’s death and the nationwide aftermath is, the destruction caused by the cartel’s trafficking operation is unquestionably more devastating. Untold thousands are almost certainly dead or addicted as a result of the illicit drugs trafficked by El Mencho. Both his life and death speak tragically of death, and his legacy remains one of destruction that will not unravel simply because he has passed from earthly life.
War in Iran
The United States and Israel conducted a joint bombing campaign in Iran on Saturday which resulted in the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei and numerous other regime leadership. After the initial wave attack, the U.S. and Israel have continued widescale attacks across Iran. According to the White House, the attacks are aimed at regime infrastructure and facilities used to develop a nuclear weapons program. U.S. President Donald Trump said the bombing campaign is likely to last 4-5 weeks.
Plus-Six Vision
Do you have Plus-Six vision? God does, and while He is the only one who can take you there, He expects and requires you to first turn the five He has given you into ten. It is time to be courageous and do the work (1 Chron. 28:20).
Jesse Jackson Dies
As we pray for the Jackson family during their time of loss, we should also reflect on our own upcoming entrance into eternity. Are you prepared for that certain eventuality? You can be! Left to your own accord, your life will be deemed to have fallen short of the required standard (Rom. 3:23). But all that is required to change that fact is that you believe in Jesus and state that belief to those around you (Rom. 10:9, Matt. 10:32-33).
ICE Drawdown in Minnesota
We should continue to pray for both law enforcement as they put themselves in harm’s way to protect our communities, and for the people of the Minneapolis area. We should pray for a sustained peace and calm (Ps. 34:14), and that love for neighbors would “cover a multitude of sins” (1 Pet. 4:8).
Deadly Shootings
Brokenness is a reality of life on Earth. But we do not have to acquiesce to it. Our God sent His son to the cross to make a way of healing and restoration. It is the only way for a brokenness like that on display in our world to be made whole again.
Ashes and Affection
God’s affection burns for you, my friend! How do I know? The evidence is in the ashes!
Partial Shutdown
Truth is, always has been, and always will be, at odds with evil. Yes, you are called to stand for Truth. But what a beautiful and liberating reality that your unity with God and Truth does the opposite of make you enemies with your neighbor. In fact, your almighty God instructs that your love for Him be walked out through love for your neighbor (Matt. 22:34-40)!
These are divided times! But you, my friend, can be free of the division!
Strategic Withdrawal
Jesus would withdraw, pray, listen to His Father, and return to His Father’s work with renewed clarity.
You should withdraw, pray, listen to your Father, and return to your Father’s work with renewed clarity.
Olympic Glory
The distance from gold to devastated is exceedingly thin (Vonn said it was five inches in her race this week). The gulf between your sin nature and God’s holiness is vast and impassable save the cross. The amazing news of amazing grace is that the cross made the way plain—you must only believe in and surrender to the One who died on it.
Super Bowl LX
When was the last time you left an entertainment event feeling lighter? I can almost guarantee it was because the content of that event was some combination of true, noble, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, or praiseworthy!
A New Summit
You and I are foolish when we “free solo” in life. This endeavor of following Jesus was never meant to be taken on without the support and encouragement of fellow believers. Galatians 6:2 instructs us to, “Carry each other’s burdens,” and Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 reminds us that, “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.”
Burdens in life are meant to be shared. So are significant accomplishments—new summits reached, so to speak. We are to, “Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn” (Rom. 12:15).
All is lost . . . or is it?
We are on this journey right alongside you, and there are plenty of situations (maybe even a majority of them) that feel overwhelming to us. But we are committed to serving you as we together seek to be more like Jesus. Our prayer is that this publication will leave you better equipped to make Him famous as you engage with the world.
Winter Storm Fern
More than a dozen states made emergency declarations as Winter Storm Fern pummeled a huge portion of the United States over the weekend. A significant snowstorm was followed by sleet, freezing rain, and frigid temperatures, causing hundreds of thousands to be without power. More than half the U.S. population was impacted by the storm, and many areas remain under freezing temperatures, school closures, and limited mobility.